A. Lyakh

3 W Continuous-Wave Room Temperature Single-Facet Emission From Quantum Cascade Lasers Based On Nonresonant Extraction Design Approach

A strain-balanced, InP-based quantum cascade laser structure, designed for light emission at 4.6 μm using a new nonresonant extraction design approach, was grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Removal of the restrictive two-phonon resonant condition, currently used in most structure designs, allows simultaneous optimization of several design parameters influencing laser performance. Following the growth, the structure was processed in buried heterostructure. Maximum single-ended continuous-wave optical power of 3 W was obtained at 293 K for devices with stripe dimensions of 5 mm×11.6 μm. Corresponding maximum wallplug efficiency and threshold current density were measured to be 12.7% and 0.86 kA/cm2.

1.6W high wall plug efficiency, continuous-wave room temperature quantum cascade laser emitting at 4.6μm

A strain-balanced, InP-based quantum cascade laser structure designed for light emission at 4.6μm was grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. A maximum total optical power of 1.6W was obtained in continuous-wave mode at 300K for uncoated devices processed in buried heterostructure geometry with stripe dimensions of 5mm by 9.5μm. Corresponding maximum wall plug efficiency and threshold current density were measured to be 8.8% and 1.05kA∕cm2, respectively. Fully hermetically packaged laser of identical dimensions produced in excess of 1.5W under the same conditions.

High power thermoelectrically cooled and uncooled quantum cascade lasers with optimized reflectivity facet coatings

We present a method of preserving the device wall-plug efficiency by adjusting mirror losses with facet coatings for longer cavity quantum cascade lasers. An experimental study of output power and wall-plug efficiency as functions of mirror losses was performed by varying the front facet coating reflectivity with a high-reflectivity-coated rear facet. The use of optimized reflectivity coatings on 7-mm-long chips resulted in continuous-wave output power of 2.9 W at 293 K for thermoelectrically cooled devices mounted on AlN submounts and average and continuous-wave output power in excess of 1 W for uncooled devices emitting at 4.6 m.

High-performance continuous-wave room temperature 4.0-μm quantum cascade lasers with single-facet optical emission exceeding 2 W

A strain-balanced, AlInAs/InGaAs/InP quantum cascade laser structure, designed for light emission at 4.0 μm using nonresonant extraction design approach, was grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Laser devices were processed in buried heterostructure geometry. An air-cooled laser system incorporating a 10-mm × 11.5-μm laser with antireflection-coated front facet and high-reflection-coated back facet delivered over 2 W of single-ended optical power in a collimated beam. Maximum continuous-wave room temperature wall plug efficiency of 5.0% was demonstrated for a high-reflection-coated 3.65-mm × 8.7-μm laser mounted on an aluminum nitride submount.

External cavity quantum cascade lasers with ultra rapid acousto-optic tuning

We report operation of tunable external cavity quantum cascade lasers with emission wavelength controlled by an acousto-optic modulator (AOM). A long-wave infrared quantum cascade laser wavelength tuned from ∼8.5 μm to ∼9.8 μm when the AOM frequency was changed from ∼41MHz to ∼49 MHz. The laser delivered over 350 mW of average power at the center of the tuning curve in a linewidth of ∼4.7 cm−1. Measured wavelength switching time between any two wavelengths within the tuning range of the QCL was less than 1 μs. Spectral measurements of infrared absorption features of Freon demonstrated a capability of obtaining complete spectral data in less than 20 μs.

5.6 μm quantum cascade lasers based on a two-material active region composition with a room temperature wall-plug efficiency exceeding 28%

5.6 μm quantum cascade lasers based on the Al0.78In0.22As/In0.69Ga0.31As active region composition with the measured pulsed room temperature wall plug efficiency of 28.3% are reported. Injection efficiency for the upper laser level of 75% was measured for the design by testing devices with variable cavity lengths. A threshold current density of 1.7 kA/cm2 and a slope efficiency of 4.9 W/A were measured for uncoated 3.15 mm × 9 μm lasers. Threshold current density and slope efficiency dependence on temperature in the range from 288 K to 348 K for the structure can be described by characteristic temperatures T0 ∼ 140 K and T1 ∼ 710 K, respectively.

Activation energy study of electron transport in high performance short wavelengths quantum cascade lasers

We present a method to study current paths through quantum cascade lasers (QCLs). The temperature dependence of the current is measured at a fixed voltage. At low temperatures we find activation energies that correspond to the energy difference between the injector ground state and the upper laser level. At higher temperatures additional paths with larger activation energies are found. Application of this method to high performance QCLs based on strained InGaAs/InAlAs quantum wells and barriers with different band-offsets allows us to identify individual parasitic current paths through the devices. The results give insight into the transport properties of quantum cascade lasers thus providing a useful tool for device optimization.

Intersubband absorption of quantum cascade laser structures and its application to laser modulation

We have analyzed light absorption in a quantum cascade laser (QCL) structure under forward and reverse bias. Strong laser frequency absorption modulation is predicted and observed for the voltage variation within the high differential resistance voltage range. We propose to use this mechanism for monolithically integrated intracavity modulation of QCLs with suppressed thermal chirp. In addition, the described method allows for extraction of the intersubband absorption component of the total waveguide losses.

Continuous wave operation of quantum cascade lasers with frequency-shifted feedback

Operation of continuous wave quantum cascade lasers with a frequency-shifted feedback provided by an acousto-optic modulator is reported. Measured linewidth of 1.7 cm−1 for these devices, under CW operating conditions, was in a good agreement with predictions of a model based on frequency-shifted feedback seeded by spontaneous emission. Linewidth broadening was observed for short sweep times, consistent with sound wave grating period variation across the illuminated area on the acousto-optic modulator. Standoff detection capability of the AOM-based QCL setup was demonstrated for several solid materials.

High power and efficiency quantum cascade laser systems for defense and security applications

Leveraging Pranalyticas fundamental research into high power and high wallplug efficiency QCL devices and high performance/reliability QCL packaging technologies, we developed several models of turn-key QCL systems for security-related applications. Our tabletop high power system produces, at room temperature, more than 2W of nominally collimated continuous wave radiation at 4.6 μm. Our flashlight-size portable illuminator at 4.6 μm produces over 100 mW average power portable illuminator at 9.6 μm produces more than 20 mW, both with runtime of ~10 hrs. These systems are opening the window of QCL acceptance into real-world security and defense applications. At chip level, we have demonstrated 3W of CW power at room temperature from a single, high reflectivity coated chip.